Rhododenron plant named kurachouchou

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of plant named ‘Kurachouchou.’ The variety is botanically identified as Rhododendron L. The new variety is distinguished from other varieties by a number of properties, including but not limited to, corolla lobe color.

Latin name of the plant claimed: The variety is botanically identifiedas Rhododendron L.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims benefit of Japanese Plant Variety ProtectionApplication No. 33199, filed on Jun. 20, 2018, which is incorporatedherein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new variety ‘Kurachouchou’ originated from the controlled cross ofthe plants ‘Stardust’ and ‘Pink Ice’ performed in April 2012.‘Kurachouchou’ were planted in the fall of 2012 in Anoucho, Tsu-shi,Mie-ken, Japan. From among the flowers that bloomed in 2015, those thatwere late blooming with attractive pink rims were selected. As a resultof tissue cultures in 2015 and trial production in the field,‘Kurachouchou’ was determined as being a practical variety in May 2018,and breeding was completed.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of plantnamed ‘Kurachouchou.’ The variety is botanically identified asRhododendron L. The new variety is distinguished from other varieties bya number of characteristics as set forth below.

When compared to the ‘Mrs. Fujii’ variety having blossoms with a primarycolor that is pale pink, almost white (RHS color chart N74D) and asecondary color that is a very pale purple (RHS color chart 76D), thenew variety of the present invention has been found to exhibitattractive blossoms with a principle strong purplish red color (RHScolor chart 71C) and a secondary color that is very light purple (RHScolor chart 76B). The annual blooming time for ‘Kurachouchou’ is onemonth later than ‘Mrs. Fujii.’ ‘Kurachouchou’ has larger leaves (about11 centimeters (cm) in length and about 4.0 cm in width) compared to‘Mrs. Fujii’ (about 10 cm in length and about 2.5 cm in width). Thebranch color of a one-year old plant of ‘Kurachouchou’ is dark green(RHS color chart 152A), whereas the branch color of a one-year old plantof ‘Mrs. Fujii’ is dark red purple, almost brown (RHS color chart 180A).‘Kurachouchou’ has a smaller truss size (about 18 cm in diameter andabout 18 cm in height) than ‘Mrs. Fujii’ (about 25 cm in diameter andabout 20 cm in height). ‘Kurachouchou’ has more corolla per truss, about20, than ‘Mrs. Fujii,’ about 15, and the size of the corolla of‘Kurachouchou’ is smaller (about 7 cm in length, about 7 cm in height,and about 6 cm in thickness) than ‘Mrs. Fujii’ (about 10 cm in length,about 10 cm in height, and about 5 cm in thickness).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographs show typical specimens of the new variety,including foliage and flowers, in color as nearly true as it isreasonably possible to make in color illustrations of thesecharacteristics.

FIG. 1 illustrates the upper side of the flowers and the plant;

FIG. 2 illustrates a full view of the cultivation area showing theleaves of the plant;

FIG. 3 illustrates a close-up of the flower; and

FIG. 4 illustrates, for comparison, the upper side of ‘Mrs. Fujii.’

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following detailed description of the new variety is based uponobservations taken of plants grown in Anoucho, Tsu-shi, Mie-ken, Japan.Observations of ‘Kurachouchou’ were taken during the 2015 growingseason.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society (R.H.S.) Colour Chart, except where general termsof ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Rhododendron L.-   Principle use: Flowering shrub for potted plant and open-field    cultivation.-   Parentage: The female parent is ‘Stardust,’ and the male parent    ‘Pink Ice.’-   Propagation: The new variety was propagated using tissue cultures.    Growth points were collected from lateral buds of shoots, and    cultivation and growth were performed without using calli.-   Plant:    -   -   Size.—At 3 years of age, plants of the new variety commonly            exhibit a height of about 40-50 cm and a width of about 30            cm.        -   Habit.—Vigorous and compact.-   Foliage:    -   -   Type.—Evergreen flowering shrub, simple semi-glossy            lanceolate leaves with acute apex, and obtuse margins.        -   Size.—Mature leaves growing midway up the stem commonly are            approximately 18 cm in length and approximately 18 cm in            width.        -   Color.—RHS color chart NN137B on the upper surface, and RHS            color chart 143C on the under surface.-   Branches:    -   -   Color.—One-year old wood RHS color chart 152A.-   Flowers:    -   -   Period.—Blooms approximately May 5 in the evening when            cultured at Anoucho, Tsu-shi, Mie-ken, Japan.        -   Truss shape.—Generally a sphere.        -   Truss size.—Approximately 18 cm diameter, and approximately            18 cm in height.        -   Corolla per truss.—Approximately 20.        -   Corolla shape.—Open funnel shape.        -   Corolla size.—Approximately 7 cm in length, 7 cm in width,            and 6 cm in thickness.        -   Number of lobes.—Five lobes per floret.        -   Margin of lobes.—Wavy to frilly.        -   Fragrance.—None.        -   Calyx size.—Approximately 2 millimeters (mm) in length.        -   Color.—Two colors on the surface of the corolla lobe. The            principle color on the surface of the corolla lobe is strong            purplish red (RHS color chart 71C). The secondary color on            the surface of the corolla lobe is very light purple (RHS            color chart 76B). Weak, independent spots are present on the            throat of the corolla lobe.-   Winter hardiness: Has survived winters with temperatures as low as    −3° C. in Anoucho, Tsu-shi, Mie-ken, Japan.-   Disease resistance: During observations to date, the foliage has    been disease resistant. Although generally, Rhododendron L. plants    are prone to root rot disease, which tends to occur in in high    temperatures, ‘Kurachouchou’ is resistant to root rot because it is    resistant to high temperatures.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Rhododendron L.plant, substantially as shown and described.